John Milne (1931-1978)

The late 1960s and early 1970s represent a productive high point in Milne's career. Trio is a slim, pierced upright composition from this time showing the abiding influence of the early carvings based on torsos or heads, whilst hinting at Brancusi's three-in-one totemic arrangements. Notch-like forms punctuate a columnar form base, midriff and apex. The sculpture has a flowing planarity which ascends in a rectilinear, rather than overtly curved or spiralling manner. Derived from a plaster prototype, Trio reveals carved, modelled and even constructed processes, the final preparatory plaster no doubt reflecting the hand of all three. The middle of three intrusions completely pierces the form in a Hepworthian mode, adding the complexity of an internal dimension.
P.D.